The Fate of Hungary’s ‘Mighty Magyars’ after the 1954 World Cup
Ferenc Puskás and the Legacy of the Hungarian Golden Team
Ferenc Puskás is arguably the most well-known Hungarian around the world, thanks to his leadership of the Golden Team, also known as the “Mighty Magyars.” This legendary team achieved victory after victory, including a historic win over the English national team at Wembley in London. In 1954, they were poised to win the UEFA World Cup in Switzerland, but ultimately fell short to West Germany in the final. But what happened to the team after this heartbreaking defeat?
After the Golden Team’s loss, protests erupted in Hungary. The team’s glorious victories had served as a source of pride and solace for the Hungarian people during the harsh Communist regime. The period from 1950 to 1954, when the team remained undefeated, was a beacon of hope for the nation.
However, in July 1954, the nation watched in dismay as Hungary lost to West Germany in the final. Public outcry followed, with masses taking to the streets to protest the defeat. The Communist dictatorship had to intervene to quell the riots, as angry football fans expressed their disappointment by smashing shop windows in Budapest. The national team had to be smuggled back into the city to avoid the public’s wrath.
Following the disappointment of the 1954 World Cup, Hungary faced further turmoil with the 1956 revolution against the Soviet occupation and the Communist regime. The national team chose not to participate in the Summer Olympic Games that year, opting instead to play matches in Europe. The backbone of the Golden Team, players from Honvéd, traveled abroad and eventually disbanded, leading to a significant decline in Hungarian football.
The passing of the Golden Team members over the years marked the end of an era. Despite their legacy, only a few members of the team continued to represent Hungary in international tournaments. The team’s demise serves as a poignant reminder of a bygone era in Hungarian football history.
As the last surviving member of the Golden Team, Jenő Buzánszky, passed away in 2015, the legacy of Ferenc Puskás and his teammates continues to live on in the hearts of Hungarians around the world. Their story serves as a testament to the power of sports in uniting a nation and inspiring generations to come.
